Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 45

Squadron Commander Interview Gina Lee

Squadron: Peterborough Power and
Sail Squadron
Location: Peterborough, Ontario.
Squadron Commander: Gina Lee
Warrant Issued: 1959
Membership: 180
Life Members: 9
Newsletter: Nautical Notes
Dedication to duty and wanting to lend
a helping hand certainly has paid off for
Gina Lee, the current Squadron Commander of the Peterborough Power and
Sail Squadron. Gina first became involved with CPS-ECP not as a student
but as a recording secretary on the Peterborough Bridge. Retirement had just
taken place and being new to the area
Gina and her husband Jim were looking
for something to get involved with. Jim,
being a long time boater, had become
involved with the local Squadron and
asked Gina if she would be interested
in helping out. Gina then gladly took
up her writing utensil and became the
Squadron's recording secretary. However, "I didn't have a vote on any Squadron
issues! I wanted my opinion to count, so
I needed to join as a member", so Gina
took the Boating Course in 2010 and
became a very active member. Since
that time Gina has filled the positions of
Secretary, RVCC Coordinator and now
is the Commander.
Gina says that the best thing about
being part of the Squadron is "we are
fortunate to have a group of officers
who are concerned about the Squadron and dedicated to ensuring its longevity. They come up with great ideas

and try to address the ongoing issues
of the Squadron and CPS-ECP in general. And they are a great team to work
with!" Her first National Conference
was quite an eye opener, "There was
so much to see and learn and our communication has improved a lot since
then too." Each year the Squadron sets
a very realistic budget and Gina advises
that everyone, "spend it wisely".
There are other concerns of course,
and one is the membership. Gina asks
"How do we get students into the seats?
Well one answer was to conduct a workshop and while the workshop was taking
place target some of the participants.
Marketing too is important and all the
officers are part of the decision." Currently there are sixteen executive and
special officers involved on the Bridge
and a few do double duty as well. The
Peterborough Bridge has monthly meetings except for July and December and
each one lasts from one to two hours. Attendance is very good and specially good
during the OSPCA National Cupcake
Week (last week in February) when Gina
makes several batches of cupcakes which
are sold for the good cause!
The Peterborough Squadron is also
well represented on the Quinte District Council with Gina holding down
the position of Secretary and others occupying the position of District
Commander, Membership and Communications. Gina commented that "It
is critical that Squadron Commanders
attend the District Council meetings as
communication is both up and down.
And it is 100% better because we participate and are aware of the changes
that are taking place both at the National and District level. If the Squadron Commander avoids the District, it
is a disservice to the Squadron."
Peterborough has also been very active in the community. Gina mentioned
that at every opportunity the Squadron
tries to gets its message out through
printed leaflets and engaging the public
in discussions at various boating events

in the area. In an effort to keep the
Squadron in the public view last March
a seminar on Safety and the Rules of the
Road was offered to the public and admission was free. During the summer of
2016 a seminar on locking was held at
the Skyline Resort which was supported
by Parks Canada that operates the Trent
Locks. Afterwards a barbeque was held
and again, admission was free. "We try
to be in the public view as often as we
can", Gina said, "and by participating
in the local boat shows and events this
really helps us reach out to the public."
In 2016 the Squadron did 63 RVCC
checks and also participated in a Flare
Disposal Day which saw several hundred old flares turned in.
The Squadron's newsletter, Nautical
Notes, is published every two months
and is posted on their website and sent
out to all the members via email. Gina
said "The current editor is quite the techie and has included great information
about helpful websites, winter projects,
with social and educational offerings for
all. This way we not only keep in touch
with our membership but we also provide good and timely information."
One thing that is a bit unusual is the
annual Squadron's Summer Yard Sale!
When I asked what is offered Gina
commented, "everything!" Her list of
items included all the usual nautical
things like anchors, lines, and PFDs
along with a few surprises too. Then
at the end of the sale a celebration
barbeque is held.
Gina also pointed out that it is important to seize every opportunity to publicize yourself as they had a wonderful
opportunity last year to be featured in
the local Kawartha Cottage magazine.
It all started out with the Peterborough
Squadron wanting to place an ad in the
publication. In conversation with the
editor this grew into an great article and
grew to cover a whole centre spread in
the magazine! "It was great coverage for
both us and CPS-ECP", and we will be
Continued on page 53

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by R. John Garside AP

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting October 2017